Suisun City Municipal Code Art. V Dust Control

The purpose of this article is to protect the public health, welfare and safety by limiting and regulating activities in and about applicable construction sites which cause or contribute to blowing dust and debris resulting in dust and debris spreading to public and private property adjacent and downwind of major construction sites, and to ensure adequate equipment is provided and measures taken to prevent blowing dust and debris at all necessary times.

(Ord. 559 (part), 1988)

This article shall apply to any construction site or development within Suisun City for which a grading permit is required.

(Ord. 559 (part), 1988)

It shall be the responsibility of applicants to take all necessary measures to prevent windblown dust and debris from spreading to property adjacent to and downwind of the construction site which measures shall include, but are not limited to, those set out in this article.

(Ord. 559 (part), 1988)

Development of subdivisions shall be scheduled and phased so as to limit, to the greatest extent possible, the exposure of bare ground leading to the creation of dust.

(Ord. 559 (part), 1988)

All streets in a subdivision phase under construction shall have a dustfree surface coat prior to the installation of any building foundations, unless prior written approval is granted by the director of public works for Suisun City.

(Ord. 559 (part), 1988)

All project perimeter fencing and landscaping for the phase or unit under construction shall be in place prior to opening any model units to the public and offering any units for sale, unless prior written approval is granted by the director of public works.

(Ord. 559 (part), 1988)

It shall be the responsibility of each applicant engaging in excavation, grading or other activity which creates and/or leaves loose soil exposed to the wind resulting in dust to take the following measures whenever dry conditions exist creating the possibility of windblown dust:

A. To maintain on the construction site, or immediately available at all hours of the day and night, including weekends and holidays, water trucks capable of dispersing water over a large area to prevent dust, and to be prepared to use said equipment for this purpose at any time including having available personnel to operate said equipment during normal business hours and on call during evenings, weekends and holidays. Applicant shall wash down streets and other public thoroughfares adjacent to the construction site on a regular basis to prevent the accumulation of dust which can be spread by the wind, at the discretion of the director of public works.

B. For the purposes of construction machinery for earthwork, trenching, concrete or paving, the hours of work activity on the site shall be restricted as follows:

1. Work is allowed between the hours of seven a.m. to six p.m. Monday through Friday.

2. Work is allowed between the hours of nine a.m. to five p.m. on Saturdays.

3. Work is totally prohibited on Sundays and holidays with the exception that water trucks for the purposes of dust control may operate from nine a.m. to five p.m. on said Sundays and holidays if needed.

The developer or general contractor shall be responsible for notifying all subcontractors and other users of the site of these restrictions. These restrictions apply unless prior written approval is granted for an exception by the director of public works. For construction work hours for general construction see Section 15.04.075.

C. To restrict vehicular traffic across all unpaved areas wherever possible and limit vehicle parking, to designated areas where creation of dust by such traffic can be strictly controlled, except for vehicles and equipment actually necessary for construction activity, and to establish on-site haul roads which shall be the sole course of vehicle travel across the site and which shall not be changed without the written permission of the director of public works.

D. To use environmentally safe soil stabilizing agents wherever possible to prevent the creation of dust;

E. To post conspicuously at all entrances to the construction site, the telephone number of the police department, the director of public works and names and telephone numbers of a responsible employee or agent of applicant who can be notified by members of the general public between the hours of eight a.m. and eight p.m. daily, including weekends and holidays when problems of blowing dust affecting property adjacent and downwind of the project exist, and to ensure that employees or agents of applicant are available during those hours to receive calls and respond to complaints.

F. To provide, if requested by the city, for security on the site during evenings, weekends and holidays to ensure that adequate dust control measures are employed and that restricted work hours are observed.

(Ord. 672 § 1 (part), 2004; Ord. 559 (part), 1988)

It shall be the responsibility of each applicant who engages in any projects of construction and/or excavation to take adequate measures to prevent windblown debris including, but not limited to cardboard, paper and other construction materials capable of being carried by the wind from being carried off the construction site by the wind or otherwise.

(Ord. 559 (part), 1988)

The building inspector or director of public works or any employee of the city under their direction and control may issue a citation for failure to provide adequate dust control measures as described in this article or for allowing dust to be blown onto adjacent and downwind property resulting in complaints from local residents.

(Ord. 559 (part), 1988)

In addition to citation, an order to stop work may be issued and further work on the construction site shall be prohibited if it is determined that dust and blowing debris is adversely affecting property adjacent to and downwind of the construction site, or if the measures described in Sections 15.12.320 and 15.12.330 are not being followed, and the lack thereof creates the immediate possibility of dust contamination.

(Ord. 559 (part), 1988)

If, after giving of notice to applicant that dust control measures must be taken, said corrections are not accomplished, the city may cause appropriate corrective action to be accomplished at applicant's expense.

(Ord. 559 (part), 1988)

In addition to those provisions contained in Article VI of this chapter, the bond, at the discretion of the city, may be held until the correction of all damage from dust contamination caused by applicant has been remedied or until the city has been reimbursed for the actual cost of dust and/or debris control measures accomplished by it as a result of applicant's failure to do so. The bond may be used as a source of payment for these costs.

(Ord. 559 (part), 1988)